Be aware of scam artists
“Scam artists” are criminals that often prey on senior citizens because these citizens are trusting, living alone, or have large sums of money available to them. These types of scams may include home invasions, burglaries, robberies, thefts, confidence games, door-to-door, solicitors, home companion scams, or home repair frauds.

Many scams are often committed by well organized, transient criminals who evade identification and arrest by operating in various cities and towns under many different aliases. They often leave town before a crime hasbeen discovered or reported.

A TYPICAL SCAM
One or two people make contact with a homeowner by ringing the doorbell or knocking on the door. They attempt to distract the homeowner and direct them toward the kitchen with deceptions such as:
• Faking an illness

• Posing as a utility worker

• Offering to complete home repairs

• Pretending to have a package to deliver

• Asking for paper or pen to leave a note for a neighbor

• Asking if the house is for sale

• Looking for a lost dog or cat

Once the homeowner is distracted, several unseen accomplices will enter the home and explore the house in search of jewelry or money. There is usually very little sign of ransacking since the accomplices go through the homeowner’s items very carefully taking
only certain valuables and putting everything else back in its place. After the suspects leave, the homeowner may not even realize
that anything has been taken.

Another common scam occurs when a homeowner is approached by one or more people and offers to conduct home repairs such as a new roof, cement repairs, at a very low cost. The con-artist will then convince
the homeowner to pay for all or part of the repair up front in cash. Once the homeowner gives the money to the con-artist, the con-artist leaves the area and never returns to complete the home repairs.

QUICK TIPS CHECKLIST
• Use caution when dealing with strangers – even those who wear authentic looking uniforms and may have a reason for entering the house.

• Be suspicious of strangers offering to share found money or lottery winnings with you.

• Check a company’s reputation with the Better Business Bureau before conducting business with them.

• Request a written estimate for repair work. Also, get estimates from other companies before making any type of commitment.

• Do not invest hastily. Do not rush into a bargain. If it appears too good to be true, it usually is.

• Ask that you wish to discuss a contract with a lawyer before signing any documents.

• When in doubt, call the police.

• If the suspects leave before the police arrive, try to obtain a description of the person or vehicle involved. A license plate number helps the investigation a great deal.

• Scam artists are persuasive and persistent. They are very well trained in what they do and have managed to take away some people’s entire life savings. The best way to avoid becoming a victim is to remain cautious and become educated on how these types of groups operate.

If Dearborn residents believe that they have been victims of a scams, they are asked to call the Dearborn Police Department
at 313-943-2240. They also are asked to report all suspicious activity to the Dearborn Police at 313-943-3030.